Milwaukee – Tegucigalpa – Howard AFB

The aircraft departed Milwaukee-General Billy Mitchell Airport on a flight to Howard AFB, Panama City, with an intermediate stop in Tegucigalpa, carrying 10 crew members and a load consisting of foods and electronics. At Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Airport, the aircraft landed 2,000 feet past the runway threshold in a 50° flaps down configuration. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, it overran and crashed on a road and a bridge, bursting into flames. Three crew members were killed and seven others were injured.

Flight / Schedule

Milwaukee – Tegucigalpa – Howard AFB

Registration

88-4408

MSN

5161

Year of Manufacture

1989

Date

April 1, 1997 at 12:00 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Military

Flight Phase

Landing (descent or approach)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Crash Location

Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Francisco Morazán

Region

Central America • Honduras

Coordinates

14.0522°, -87.2381°

Crash Cause

Human factor

Narrative Report

On April 1, 1997 at 12:00 AM, Milwaukee – Tegucigalpa – Howard AFB experienced a crash involving Lockheed C-130 Hercules, operated by United States Air Force - USAF, with the event recorded near Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Francisco Morazán.

The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

10 people were known to be on board, 3 fatalities were recorded, 7 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 30.0%.

Crew on board: 10, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The aircraft departed Milwaukee-General Billy Mitchell Airport on a flight to Howard AFB, Panama City, with an intermediate stop in Tegucigalpa, carrying 10 crew members and a load consisting of foods and electronics. At Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Airport, the aircraft landed 2,000 feet past the runway threshold in a 50° flaps down configuration. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, it overran and crashed on a road and a bridge, bursting into flames. Three crew members were killed and seven others were injured.

Aircraft reference details include registration 88-4408, MSN 5161, year of manufacture 1989.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 14.0522°, -87.2381°.

Fatalities

Total

3

Crew

3

Passengers

0

Other

0

Crash Summary

The aircraft departed Milwaukee-General Billy Mitchell Airport on a flight to Howard AFB, Panama City, with an intermediate stop in Tegucigalpa, carrying 10 crew members and a load consisting of foods and electronics. At Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Airport, the aircraft landed 2,000 feet past the runway threshold in a 50° flaps down configuration. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, it overran and crashed on a road and a bridge, bursting into flames. Three crew members were killed and seven others were injured.

Cause: Human factor

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

10

Passengers On Board

0

Estimated Survivors

7

Fatality Rate

30.0%

Known people on board: 10

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Milwaukee – Tegucigalpa – Howard AFB

Flight Type

Military

Flight Phase

Landing (descent or approach)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Region / Country

Central America • Honduras

Aircraft Details

Registration

88-4408

MSN

5161

Year of Manufacture

1989

Similar Plane Crashes

October 2, 1932 at 12:00 AM

Pan American World Airways - PAA

Ford 5

While on an international scheduled flight, the aircraft crashed in bad weather conditions near El Aceituno, Honduras. The airplane was destroyed and there were no casualties.

March 5, 1934 at 12:00 AM1 Fatalities

Morgan Air Lines

Ford 4

Shortly after takeoff from Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Airport, while in initial climb, the three engine airplane collided with power lines, stalled and crashed in a ravine located about 300 metres past the runway end. An Italian passenger tried to escape and jumped out the cabin but fall in the ravine with his kid in his arms. The father was killed and his kid was injured. All 10 other occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It is believed that the takeoff was initiated with a tailwind component and the left main wheel or the left wing impacted an electric power line during initial climb. Some debris such as an engine (third image) were found 83 years later by a depth of 65 feet. Crew: Eugene 'Smokey' Rhoads, pilot, Mr. Holmberg, mechanic. Source and photos via Amado Aguiluz Ferrari, Coronel José Alfredo San Martín and Carlos Rosa Mejía.

October 19, 1943 at 12:00 AM10 Fatalities

United States Navy - USN

Consolidated PBY-2 Coronado

For unknown reason, the captain was forced to ditch the aircraft off Puerto Castilla. On landing, the seaplane broke in two and sank. A crew member was rescued while all others were killed.

November 29, 1944 at 03:00 PM16 Fatalities

TACA International Airlines - Transportes Aéreos Centro Americanos

Ford 5

Shortly after lift off, while in initial climb, the right wing failed. The aircraft went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion. All 16 occupants were killed.

October 17, 1946 at 12:00 AM7 Fatalities

TACA International Airlines - Transportes Aéreos Centro Americanos

Lockheed 10 Electra

While cruising in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in a field near Yoro. All seven occupants were killed.

January 15, 1947 at 12:00 AM

Private Hondurian

Lockheed C-37 Electra

Crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in Honduras. The accident occurred in January 1947 (exact date unknown).